Building block



Jan. W, 1939. A. E. TROIEL BUILDING BLOCK Filed Nov. 26, 1935 2Sheets5heet 1V ATTORNEY I mm, 1939 A.E.TRO|EL 3, 7

Fil ed Nov. 26, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 10, 1939UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to building blocks, and especially to blocks forthe instructio-nand entertainment of children.

Itis the object of the present invention to provide an'attractive,inexpensive and durable set of blocks or building units capable of beingsecurely locked together by simple connecting members and without theuse of tools to form rigid structures of various shapes, the blocksbeing so designed that a relatively small number of blocks may beemployed in setting up a great variety of structural shapes.

M'y invention consists essentiallyof blocks of wood or the like that areslotted in a uniform manner for the reception of metal connectingmembers The connecting members are designed to slip into the slots ofthe blocks in various positions and combinations of positions to makepossible the fabrication of rigid structures that are easily assembledand. may be readily disassembled, when desired, without in any waydefacing any of the building units.

One form of my invention is exemplified in the i 25 accompanyingdrawings, and further of its objects and advantages are made apparent inthe following specification, wherein reference is made to the drawings.

In the drawings-- Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a corner of-a buildingconstructed of blocks made in accordance with-my invention and showingtypical uses of various shapes and sizes of blocks and connectingmembers;

35 Fig. 2 is 'a perspective view of a single block,

showing in detail the manner in which the blocks areslotted-for thereception of connecting members;

Figs. 3,4; 5, 6 and 7 are perspective views of- 0 various typesofconnecting members for locking together blocks such as that disclosedin Fig. 2;

Figs. 8;9; 10,11 and. 12 are perspective views of blocks and connectingmembers illustrating typical uses of the different types of connecting45 members for securing the'blocks in various positionsrelative toeachother;

Fig. 13 is a perspective viewofa stack of blocks, showing a clipmemberand illustrating the manner in which such member maybe used to pre- 50vent separation of theblocks in a vertical direction.

Referring moreparticularlyto the drawings, a typical block isillustrated at II] in Fig. 2. The blocks Hlare formed of standardthickness and 55--have a width doubletheir'thickness and may be maximumlength.

While these proportions are desirable and the above stateddimensionshave been found convenient to form a small set of buildingblocks, it will, of course, be understood that the dimensions may beincreased or decreased to form blocks of any size while the generalproportions are maintained. For simplification of the description thesize of the blocks will be assumed, as "stated above,as 1" x 2 in crosssection.

Each block is slotted in accordance with a uniform plan. The slots maybe saw kerfs which are simply and inexpensively produced with a motordriven circular saw. For blocks of this size I have foundthat slotsslightly less than 1 5" in width are desirable as metal connectingmembers of this thickness are sufficiently strong, and the slots are notlarge enough to deface the blocks or hinder the appearance of a finishedstructure built with them A desirable arrangement of slots isillustrated inFig. 2 where the ends of the block are shown as providedwithcrossed slots H and I2 at right angles to each. other and equallyspaced from the edges to'which they are parallel. Still assuming the:@cross section of the blocks to be 1" x 2', the block ends willbedivided by these slots into sections approximately /z" x 1". Slots l3,cut-centrally of the edges of the blocks and extendingsthroughout theirlength, connect the -end slots II and a slot l4, formed on oneface of35.

the block, connects the end slots l2. On the edges [5 slots l6 are outMy" from the ends ll of the blocks. These slots are parallel to the endsof the block and cooperate with the slot I 3 to divide the end portionsof the edges l5 into two 40 /2" squares. Any side of one of thesesquares is equal-toone-half the thickness of a block. Consequently, theslots in adjacent blocks will align when the blocks are placed end toend, as illustratedin Fig. 8, when the blocks are overlapped 1" orthedistance of their thickness, as illustrated in Fig. 9, or when theyare arranged to form a right angular corner, as illustrated in Fig, 10.This makes possible the use of the connecting members presently to bedescribed for connecting or looking the blocks to each other'in a largevariety of different positions.

The connecting members illustrated in Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive, arepreferably formed of metal, but maybe made of any suitable material thatis sufficiently strong and rigid to serve their purpose. In Fig. 3 Ishow a small substantially square metal plate i8, which I prefer to terma singleslot bar, having a slot it formed therein midway between two.parallel edges. The thickness of the member I8 is such that it will slipinto the slots formed in the blocks and the width of the slot it issufiicient ,to receive a member of the same thickness.

In Fig. i I show a three-slot bar 29, similar in dimensions to thesingle slot bar it except that it is longer and differing also in thatit is provided with three slots 2i equally spaced along one of itsedges, the spacing between the slots being approin'mately one-half inch.

Fig. 5 illustrates a connecting member that will be referred to as anL-bar 22, having a slot 23 spaced approximately one-half inch from oneend and having a half inch square out from its opposite end, leavingconnected to the bar an car 23, bent at right angles to the bar 22. Theconnecting member, illustrated. in Fig. 6, is termed a Z-bar 25 and issimilar in dimensions to the other connecting members but is providedwith half inch square cars 26 at opposite ends and bent at right anglesto the plane of the main portion of the bar. Tension bars 2 such asillustrated in Fig. '2, may be provided in any desired length. Thesebars are formed of metal just one-half of the thickness of the metalfrom which the other connecting members are formed so that they mayoverlap each other within a slot in the block. One edge of each tensionbar 2'! is provided with equally spaced slots 28 throughout its length.A row of'perforations as is provided along the same edge, theperforations being formed in the metal between the slots 28 and asimilar row of perforations 36 being formed along the opposite edge ofthe tension bar.

Some typical uses of the connecting members above described areillustrated in Figs. 8 to 12, inelusive, of the drawings.

In Fig. 8 two of the blocks it are secured in position with their endsin abutment by means of a Z-bar 26. In this use of the Z-bar the mainportion of the bar is inserted in the aligning slots l3 of the blocksBil and the ears 26 of the bar are received by the slots it. This formsan interlocking connection between the blocks maintaining close contactbetween their abutting ends and substantially preventing twisting orturning relative to each other in any direction. The 2- bar, as is trueof all of the connecting members, has a width substantially twice thedepth of the slots formed in the blocks, and consequently onehalf of thebar projects upwardly from the blocks, as illustrated, in a position toreceive the slots 53 of other blocks which will be laid on edge on topof the blocks it in the construction of a wall or the like; 7

In Fig. 9 the Z-bar is illustrated in a position ready for insertioninto the slots of a pair of blocks that are overlapped to form a jog orstep in the side of a wall. In this position the main portion of theZ-bar is disposed transverse 1y to the blocks and will be inserted intothe aligning slots it while he ears 2% will be received by thelongitudinally extending slots is.

Fig. 16 illustrates a pair of the blocks it arranged to form a corner,with one end of one block abutting a side of the other block so that theslot E3 of the first block aligns with the slot it of the second block.This figure also illustrates the manner in which an L-bar 22 and athree-slot bar 2% may be combined to securely I 2,14s,ee7

lock the blocks together in this position and present an upwardlyextending edge bymeans of which the next tier of angularly disposedblocks will be supported in proper position. The L-bar 22 is positionedat right angles to the three-slot bar 2%. These two connecting membersare interlocked with each other by means of their respective slots 23and 25. The ear 2 of the L-bar will be received by the slot it in ablock it) and the portion of the bar will fit into the slot E3 of thesame block and extend into the slot l6 oi the next block. The three-slotbar is received ,by'the slot is of the latter block and after theconnecting members have been inserted in the proper slots their upwardlyprojecting portions will form a cross at the corner which will bereceived by the slots of the next adjacent tier of blocks to supportthem in a position of alignment with the first tier.

Fig. 11 illustrates one manner in which blocks it may be connected withtheir ends in abutment when it is desired that the connection be madewithout any of the connecting members exposed to view. In this figure athree-slot bar 29 and a single slot bar iii are combined with theirslots 2i and. it in register to form a cross. This cross is insertableinto the end slots H and I2 of adjacent blocks to maintain them inalignment with each other.

When two or more of the blocks l9 are to be supported in end-to-endalignment to form a beam in which more or less tensile strength isnecessary or desirable, tension bars of the type illustrated in Fig. 7may be used. If a length greater than that presented by a single tensionbar is needed two or more bars may be overlapped at their ends, asillustrated in Fig. 12. The tension bars are received by the slots l3,formed in the edges of the blocks and any number of blocks of randomlength may be combined to form a tension bar having the required length.

In Fig. 12 I have illustrated the use of single slot bars ES interlockedwith the tension bars at intervals to be received by the slots N5 of theblocks it. This will retain the blocks against longitudinal slidingmovement on the tension bars and will add to the tensile strength of themade-up beam where two or more tension bars are combined to obtainexceptional length. In the event that unusual strength is necessary inthe beam small rivets or pins 35 may be inserted through aligningperforations in the tension bars to insure against sagging of the beam.

While in most instances these pins will not be necessary, it has beenfound that by merely slipping them through aligning perforations in thebar additional rigidity is obtained and. it is unnecessary that they bepeaned over or otherwise secured in the bar, as they are substantiallythe same diameter as the perforations and are held in place by frictionsufiiciently for ordinary purposes and yet may be easily removed whenthe structure is being disassembled.

When the blocks are superposed to form a wall in the manner illustratedin Fig. 13, their end slots ii will be in alignment and through the useof tension bars 2'! and single-slot bars i8 interlocking with thetension bars and received by the slots 52 in the ends of the blocksvertical separation may be prevented. In some instances, however, theends of the blocks will not be accessible as they are illustrated inFig. 13 and in order to prevent vertical separation'o-f the blocks andto provide a structure that may be easily transported from place toplace without danger of its coming apart I have provided clips 44, whichconsist of metal bands having their ends 45 bent at right angles forreception by the slots l4 in the sides of the blocks. These clips 44 maybe of various lengths to hold any number of blocks together; the oneillustrated in Fig. 13 being of a suitable length for three blocks. Ifdesired, the ends 45 of the clips may be bent at slightly more than aright angle so that it will be necessary to force them into the slotsl4, and with this arrangement the resiliency of the clip will preventits being dislodged as the structure is moved from place to place.

Referring now to Fig. l of the drawings, I illustrate a small portion ofa structure being erected with the blocks and connecting members abovedescribed. In this view blocks H) of various lengths are illustrated asforming a foundation by being placed on edge. It is obvious that blocksin the same position superimposed on this foundation will make acontinuous wall. Where it is desired that windows and doors be providedin the wall the same blocks may be used on end as illustrated. Theseblocks are held against being dislodged as their end slots receive theupwardly extending portions of connecting members which are employed forinterlocking the foundation blocks. For simulating vertical posts ofsmaller dimensions blocks, such as that illustrated at 36 in Fig. 1, areprovided. These blocks are square in cross section and are provided withlongitudinally extending slots 31 along opposite sides which are alsocontinued across their ends where they are crossed by transverse slots38.

For providing arched windows or doorways blocks having one corner cutaway arcuately are employed, as illustrated at 39. Blocks of the typeillustrated at 38 are provided in various lengths to be interposedbetween the arch blocks 39 so that the window or door openings may be ofany width desired. Moulding cutters may be employed to dress the edgesof the blocks 38 and 39 to lend a finish and decorative effect to thewindows and doorways. Floors and ceilings or the like may be built up ofthe standard blocks II), which may be supported relative to eachotherand relative to the structure itself by means of the tension members 21and three-slotted bars 20 registering with the slots H and I3 of theblocks forming the floor, and with the slots l4 of the foundation orother portions of the structure. Gable blocks of the type ilustrated at40 and 4| are provided for fabricating roofs or other surfaces disposedat an angle to the main structure.

These gable blocks are slotted in a manner similar to that described forthe blocks [0 but are provided with additional slots 43 parallel totheir angular edges and spaced approximately onehalf inch from saidedges. These slots serve to support a roof built-up of blocks l0 in thesame manner that the floor illustrated in Fig. 1 is built up andsupported.

Blocks of other shapes may be provided for ornamenting structuresfabricated with the simpler forms of blocks described.

While I have, for the purpose of illustrating my invention, shown but afew blocks and connecting members of simple design and illustrated alimited number of combinations in which these members may be employed itis of course to be understood that various changes may be resorted to inthe design, construction and arrangement of the several parts within thescope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:-

1. In combination with building blocks slotted for the reception ofconnecting members, fiat metallic tension members comprising elongatedstrips insertable in aligned slots of two or more adjacent blocks, saidtension members being of a thickness permitting their overlapping withinthe slots of the blocks.

2. A set of building blocks comprising rectangular block members slottedon their edges and sides, slotted interlocking connecting memberscooperating with the edge slots of the blocks to retain them in positionwith their edges abutting to form wall structures, and clip memberscomprising fiat bands with right-angularly bent ends engageable with theside slots with the bands disposed flat against the side walls of theblocks to prevent separation of the blocks forming the wall structure.

3. In combination with building blocks slotted for the reception ofconnecting members, tension members comprising elongated stripsinsertable in aligned slots of adjacent blocks, said tension membersbeing slotted for interlocking engagement with connecting membersdisposed at right angles to the tension members, and said tensionmembers being of a thickness permitting them to overlap within the slotsof the blocks whereby the two tension members may be locked againstrelative longitudinal movement by said connecting members.

ARTHUR E. TROIEL.

